Nov 27, 2018, 7:54 am
Last edit by: NoLaGent
How are Saver fares different?
Saver fares do include some restrictions on booking, refunds, changes, and seat selection.
These restrictions include:
Elite status benefits you do get when you buy a Saver Fare:
* Priority check-in
* Priority boarding group
* Baggage fee waiver
* Express security line at select airports (for MVPG+)
* Refreshments (alcoholic drink or chocolate for MVPG+)
* Complimentary inflight entertainment player - available on coast-to-coast and Hawaii flights (for MVPG75k, while they last)
* Bonus miles (by elite level)
Elite status benefits you don't get when you buy a Saver Fare:
* Access to preferred seating (certain seats behind Premium Class or in the exit rows)
* First Class upgrades, when available
* Premium Class upgrades, when available
* Waived change fees for MVPG+
* Complimentary same-day standby/flight changes for MVPG+
Full info here: https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...perience/saver
Saver fares do include some restrictions on booking, refunds, changes, and seat selection.
These restrictions include:
- Limited seating may be available at the time of purchase. Most seats will be assigned at check-in.
- We can’t guarantee that parties of two or more will be seated together.
- No refunds are allowed beyond the first 24 hours after ticketing.
- No changes, including same-day confirmed changes, are allowed for Saver fares.
- No standby is allowed for Saver fares, even for elite status guests.
- If a guest is a no-show for any flight during a trip, all other flights within that trip are automatically canceled, with no refund available.
- Saver fares cannot be combined with any other fare types on the same itinerary.
- Saver fares are non-transferable.
Elite status benefits you do get when you buy a Saver Fare:
* Priority check-in
* Priority boarding group
* Baggage fee waiver
* Express security line at select airports (for MVPG+)
* Refreshments (alcoholic drink or chocolate for MVPG+)
* Complimentary inflight entertainment player - available on coast-to-coast and Hawaii flights (for MVPG75k, while they last)
* Bonus miles (by elite level)
Elite status benefits you don't get when you buy a Saver Fare:
* Access to preferred seating (certain seats behind Premium Class or in the exit rows)
* First Class upgrades, when available
* Premium Class upgrades, when available
* Waived change fees for MVPG+
* Complimentary same-day standby/flight changes for MVPG+
Full info here: https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...perience/saver
Details/Discussion of Saver (Basic Economy) "X" Fares
Mar 7, 2022, 12:44 pm
#916
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Either way, keep an eye on that flight. If there is a flight cancellation or even a significant schedule change (I don't remember the minimum amount of time the schedule has to move for it to be significant) you will be due a refund, only if you have not cancelled. It may be worthwhile to check him in (online of course) in case there is a last minute delay. Once boarding starts you can cancel.
Mar 7, 2022, 1:02 pm
#917
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,446
While agents can/occasionally do provide policy exceptions for saver fares and allow a wallet credit, there is no official policy / standing rule that a positive COVID diagnosis would suddenly allow the flights to be excepted from saver fare policy. With the peace of mind waiver long gone, if you want any guarantee that you'll have any sort of flexibility to retain the value of flights, saver fares are not the way to go..
Mar 7, 2022, 1:47 pm
#918
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 184
No-showing is fine. If you prefer to cancel, wait until the very last minute.
Either way, keep an eye on that flight. If there is a flight cancellation or even a significant schedule change (I don't remember the minimum amount of time the schedule has to move for it to be significant) you will be due a refund, only if you have not cancelled. It may be worthwhile to check him in (online of course) in case there is a last minute delay. Once boarding starts you can cancel.
Either way, keep an eye on that flight. If there is a flight cancellation or even a significant schedule change (I don't remember the minimum amount of time the schedule has to move for it to be significant) you will be due a refund, only if you have not cancelled. It may be worthwhile to check him in (online of course) in case there is a last minute delay. Once boarding starts you can cancel.
Mar 14, 2022, 4:38 pm
#919
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
David
Mar 16, 2022, 12:12 pm
#920
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 184
I don't have much experience or knowledge on this aspect, especially as the ticket would've gone to gate control by the time you find out if there is any delays. It certainly doesn't hurt to reach out to customer care to see if there is any service recovery points/discount they can offer.
Mar 16, 2022, 1:23 pm
#921
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
Hi David,
I don't have much experience or knowledge on this aspect, especially as the ticket would've gone to gate control by the time you find out if there is any delays. It certainly doesn't hurt to reach out to customer care to see if there is any service recovery points/discount they can offer.
I don't have much experience or knowledge on this aspect, especially as the ticket would've gone to gate control by the time you find out if there is any delays. It certainly doesn't hurt to reach out to customer care to see if there is any service recovery points/discount they can offer.
I ended up doing the check in for my son's flight and then tried to cancel - which, at that point, the app barfed and said I needed to call AS reservations. Rather than deal with that, AS got seats on two flights to do as they wished and the BE/X ticket died.
David
Mar 16, 2022, 1:43 pm
#922
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,091
Any delay of 60 minutes or more is considered by AS to be a "Schedule Irregularity" and is eligible for a refund just as "Schedule Changes" with a 60 minute or more change are eligible. These are defined in the AS Contract of Carriage on website.
Mar 16, 2022, 2:01 pm
#923
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
Jun 23, 2022, 10:28 pm
#924
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 223
Last edited by jhurwitz; Jun 23, 2022 at 10:30 pm Reason: resized image to not be so huge
Jul 13, 2022, 10:02 am
#925
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: I didn't SEA it
Posts: 205
^Looks like going forward it will be the opposite of the above. I thought it was just the glitch/issue on a flight I was looking to book for a family member, but upon paying closer attention it seems AS removed being able to select your seat at all on all saver fares. That sucks.
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...nav:saver-fare
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...nav:saver-fare
Jul 13, 2022, 11:21 am
#926
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,635
^Looks like going forward it will be the opposite of the above. I thought it was just the glitch/issue on a flight I was looking to book for a family member, but upon paying closer attention it seems AS removed being able to select your seat at all on all saver fares. That sucks.
Jul 13, 2022, 12:28 pm
#927
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: I didn't SEA it
Posts: 205
Saver fares are still non-changeable. Agreed Main Cabin fare benefits got boosted over the pandemic (for a price/tax) in that they’re (for now) changeable, but BE/X fares getting a silent devaluation to get in line with the rest of the industry still sucks even if it is somewhat understandable as I know people in my family/work who have concrete travel plans typically and they benefited from the peace of mind in knowing they’re slated to be seated together with family/friends and/or have their preferred isle/window seats on their flights.
Jul 13, 2022, 2:07 pm
#929
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: I didn't SEA it
Posts: 205
I poked around on the AS site/blog/newsfeed and here on FT prior to my initial reply, but I didn’t see any mention/announcement of the change either which is pretty annoying/worrying as silent devaluations are unsettling.
*Edit*
Per this article below it looks like the change was done on the low by AS on 7/6.
https://thriftytraveler.com/news/air...eat-selection/
Last edited by Arsene Wenger; Jul 13, 2022 at 2:19 pm
Jun 18, 2023, 11:02 pm
#930
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
Update: the other thread about saver fares showed:
- No refunds are allowed beyond the first 24 hours after ticketing. For flights booked on or after May 22, 2023, departing on or after July 19, 2023, a credit for 50% of the ticket value can be issued for flights cancelled at least 14 days to departure of the first flight on the ticket.
Last edited by s0ssos; Jun 18, 2023 at 11:24 pm